Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar on Friday said the new state government is committed to implementing the Indira guarantees, the five poll promises of the UDF, ensuring transparent governance by informing the public about the state's fiscal position, and tackling substance abuse.
He said steps have already been taken to roll out the Indira guarantees, starting with free travel for women on KSRTC buses from June 15. He also announced the setting up of a dedicated department for the welfare of the elderly.
The 5 welfare schemes, under Indira guarantees, include stipend of ₹1,000 for girl students and free insurance scheme for families.
The Governor said that the state's public finance was under severe stress and the government has decided to constitute an expert committee to prepare a 'White Paper' on its fiscal condition, so that the public would be aware of Kerala's liabilities, pending commitments and financial obligations.
He assured that despite the financial challenges, welfare measures for the poor and vulnerable will not be compromised.
Arlekar also referred to the government's dream projects of transforming the state into an integrated port-led hub, by harnessing the potential of its extensive coastline, 44 rivers, 34 lakes and four airports, and also turning into a significant centre of civil aviation in South Asia by developing "a pipeline of aviation infrastructure" initiatives.
The Governor said that the growing substance abuse, of both drugs and alcohol, were a matter of concern in the state and the government will adopt a three-proged strategy of enforcement, awareness and rehabilitation against it where both the Excise and Home Departments will work together.
He said that a Media City and creative industries hub will be developed to bring together film production, animation, visual effects, gaming, digital media and content-creation industries in a single, professionally equipped campus.
The other commitments of the government, read out in the policy address, included modernising the education sector, encouraging higher eduction institutions to become genuine centres of excellence, develop globally competitive higher education institutions in Kerala to reduce academic migration and strengthening the Cooperative Vigilance Wing to ensure cooperative societies' operations are corruption free and transparent.
